After yesterday perfect weather woke up to low cloud and rain not the best for the two hill races at Luss Highland Games. The local race goes about half way up and down Cruach Dhubh, the open race all the way up and down.
First the Local race, five runners appeared, one from the club, one real runner, me and two others. Set off in third or fourth place reaching the turning point in third. Soon caught the guy in front who then tried a short cut through head high ferns, wrong decision. Couldn't see him so kept the gas on as I ran round the same ferns, managed to gain a hundred or so yards advantage by the time I caught sight of him again.
Steady run through the maze of paths back towards the games field to finish, just over 20 minutes, a comfortable second and £15.
The Open race a couple of hours later usually attracts a much bigger field of 15 plus runners, this year only seven runners and Tommy the Greenock fundraising clown. The weather probably to blame although the sun was making an effort to break through by race time.
Set off near the back the first five pulling away round the games field. Onto the hill and nothing for it but head down and push, ran where I could. No paths on the upper half of the hill through deep tussocks and more ferns, just under 25 minutes to the top.
Turned with a big gap in front and behind, cut the gap in front to about 30 yards as we came off the hill but then lost about 50 in the flat run in to finish sixth in just over 35 mins.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Arrochar Alps Sat 25th July
Sunny day with a nice breeze to keep the flying beasties at bay. Running with Jimmy, after his WHW success, a nice wee run to break him in gently, 12 miles, 2 munros and 5000 feet of ascent. A CW run to the disappearing river in Glen Loin, up Beinn Ime from behind then straight over Beinn Narnain via Bealach a Mhaim.
This was the 1st choice route for the day and with no audible objections we began the long slow jog up Glen Loin to the disappearing river. As we came out of the trees, just before the river, we climbed left up steep slopes into the valley between Vane and Ime. An amble along narrow tracks beside the river towards Lag Uaine until just past the gnarly ridge. Steep climb beside the ridge to pop up on a small col on the eastern side of Ime's two summits. A quick traverse along to the top for a wee break.
Ran off Beinn Ime at an easy pace down to the Beallach a Mhaim then straight across onto the twisting path up Beinn Narnain. Steady plod over a couple of false summits then hopefully the shortest route through the boulder field to the summit plateau.
Left the summit with a scramble through the spearhead for the 3000 feet in a couple of miles descent down the steep twisty path, a series of lumps, bumps and gullies, before the dreaded concrete block filled stream that used to be the Cobbler access path.
We came out onto the forrest road above the car park for an easy jog down via the jaccuzzi to clean the muck off. Days like this are meant for the mountains with views for miles, Ben Lui and beyond to the north, Arran and Ailsa Craig to the south. About 4 hrs 40.
This was the 1st choice route for the day and with no audible objections we began the long slow jog up Glen Loin to the disappearing river. As we came out of the trees, just before the river, we climbed left up steep slopes into the valley between Vane and Ime. An amble along narrow tracks beside the river towards Lag Uaine until just past the gnarly ridge. Steep climb beside the ridge to pop up on a small col on the eastern side of Ime's two summits. A quick traverse along to the top for a wee break.
Ran off Beinn Ime at an easy pace down to the Beallach a Mhaim then straight across onto the twisting path up Beinn Narnain. Steady plod over a couple of false summits then hopefully the shortest route through the boulder field to the summit plateau.
Left the summit with a scramble through the spearhead for the 3000 feet in a couple of miles descent down the steep twisty path, a series of lumps, bumps and gullies, before the dreaded concrete block filled stream that used to be the Cobbler access path.
We came out onto the forrest road above the car park for an easy jog down via the jaccuzzi to clean the muck off. Days like this are meant for the mountains with views for miles, Ben Lui and beyond to the north, Arran and Ailsa Craig to the south. About 4 hrs 40.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Melantee and Pappert Well
Couple of races over the past week or so.
Sat 11th July a short SHR race on Meall an t Suidhe or Melantee as it is pronounced, even though you only run up an outlier called Creag a Chail. This is the hill behind Fort William to the right of the porridge pipes and to the left of Ben Nevis.
One of the top ten steepest hill races in Scotland, all in 3 1/2 miles and 1500' of ascent, take away the run out and back to Claggan Park and the climb of 1500' is contained within about a mile and a half. Spent the morning sunbathing in Glen Nevis Camp Site looking at the Ben so too hot by race time, my excuse anyway! Ran well to the base of the hill, guts ran out about half way up and let a few overtake that I normally pass. About 53 mins overall with a slow 37 mins up and 16 down.
Thursday 16th July, the club's annual Pappert Well race, just over 5 miles and close to 1000' of ascent. Finished faster than last year but a wee bit slower than hoped for. Pushed hard for the first 1/3 then laziness kicked in and eased off slightly as I could without losing any places. Through the trees after the trig point a bit more effort now and pushed a bit harder down what is the remnants of a track, overtook a few on the way back and overtaken by one! Finished with a wee social thanks once again to our hosts Pete & Mo.
Sat 11th July a short SHR race on Meall an t Suidhe or Melantee as it is pronounced, even though you only run up an outlier called Creag a Chail. This is the hill behind Fort William to the right of the porridge pipes and to the left of Ben Nevis.
One of the top ten steepest hill races in Scotland, all in 3 1/2 miles and 1500' of ascent, take away the run out and back to Claggan Park and the climb of 1500' is contained within about a mile and a half. Spent the morning sunbathing in Glen Nevis Camp Site looking at the Ben so too hot by race time, my excuse anyway! Ran well to the base of the hill, guts ran out about half way up and let a few overtake that I normally pass. About 53 mins overall with a slow 37 mins up and 16 down.
Thursday 16th July, the club's annual Pappert Well race, just over 5 miles and close to 1000' of ascent. Finished faster than last year but a wee bit slower than hoped for. Pushed hard for the first 1/3 then laziness kicked in and eased off slightly as I could without losing any places. Through the trees after the trig point a bit more effort now and pushed a bit harder down what is the remnants of a track, overtook a few on the way back and overtaken by one! Finished with a wee social thanks once again to our hosts Pete & Mo.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Dollar Hill Race Sat 4th July
Start and finish beside the Dollar Academy Cricket pavillion, in between 9 miles and 3000' of rolling Ochil hillls. Seven of them with no big climbs or descents. Ninety plus field meant a wide range of standards, the winner in 73 mins, the third fastest ever, the last over 3 hours.
The first half mile on road and park leads to Dollar Glen where the hill and main climb of the race starts. Jog walk up over Saddle Hill to Whitewisp and the breeze kept the flies away as you climbed. The run West to Tarmangie & Skythorn a nice undulating trail with a couple of fences to jump.
At Andrew Gannel its a 180 degree turn for the run back over Kings Seat and finally Bank Hill before the last half mile of park and road.
Thankful for the cold showers before an idillic lunch on the pavillion balcony, sandwiches, tea and home baking in amongst the buzz of happy runners. SHR pictures here.
The first half mile on road and park leads to Dollar Glen where the hill and main climb of the race starts. Jog walk up over Saddle Hill to Whitewisp and the breeze kept the flies away as you climbed. The run West to Tarmangie & Skythorn a nice undulating trail with a couple of fences to jump.
At Andrew Gannel its a 180 degree turn for the run back over Kings Seat and finally Bank Hill before the last half mile of park and road.
Thankful for the cold showers before an idillic lunch on the pavillion balcony, sandwiches, tea and home baking in amongst the buzz of happy runners. SHR pictures here.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Arrochar Alps Sat 27th June
Thought I better get this report done befor the next outing, Arrocahr Alps race, 4 munros, about 15 miles and 8000' of climbing, SHR Championship counter. There are 3 cut off times, 1st one 2 1/2 hours to the Sloy Dam after a quick up and down Ben Vorlich, 3 1/2 hours to Lag Uaine the col between Ben Vane & Ime, 4 3/4 hours to Beallach a' Mhaim.
Neraly 100 set off up Glen Loin in cloudy/warm conditions. Plan was to go out steady and reach the dam in about 2 hours, 3 hrs 15 to Lag Uaine and should be ok to complete.
Arrived at the dam spot on within a minute even though it was a bit claggy on top of Vorlich which meant people came out the mist from all directions trying to find the checkpoint, been there often enough so no probs. Took it easy on the descent losing a wee bit of time in the steep slopes just above the dam.
Soon back into the mist climbing Ben Vane, visibility really poor, down to aboout about 20 or 30 yards, no visual clues as to the location of the summit or any other runners. Found a gully which ran on the correct bearing and after a bit of a delay hit the summit ridge but on the wrong side! Lost about 15 or 20 mins but should be ok for the next check.
Left the summit of Vane and runners who I was behind coming from all directions looking for the summit. Unsettled by the different directions people were going and started to question where I was going, a bit unsure so sat down for a couple of minutes to ponder before returning to Vane Summit, another 10 minutes lost and no chance of making the next check time decided to give up, my first DNF.
Jogged back to the start via Glen Loin for soup and rolls, I'll have a few more bearings writtem down next time.
Neraly 100 set off up Glen Loin in cloudy/warm conditions. Plan was to go out steady and reach the dam in about 2 hours, 3 hrs 15 to Lag Uaine and should be ok to complete.
Arrived at the dam spot on within a minute even though it was a bit claggy on top of Vorlich which meant people came out the mist from all directions trying to find the checkpoint, been there often enough so no probs. Took it easy on the descent losing a wee bit of time in the steep slopes just above the dam.
Soon back into the mist climbing Ben Vane, visibility really poor, down to aboout about 20 or 30 yards, no visual clues as to the location of the summit or any other runners. Found a gully which ran on the correct bearing and after a bit of a delay hit the summit ridge but on the wrong side! Lost about 15 or 20 mins but should be ok for the next check.
Left the summit of Vane and runners who I was behind coming from all directions looking for the summit. Unsettled by the different directions people were going and started to question where I was going, a bit unsure so sat down for a couple of minutes to ponder before returning to Vane Summit, another 10 minutes lost and no chance of making the next check time decided to give up, my first DNF.
Jogged back to the start via Glen Loin for soup and rolls, I'll have a few more bearings writtem down next time.
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